Holders Liverpool booked their berth in the League Cup semi-finals with a 2-1 victory over Southampton at a wet and windy St Mary's Stadium on Wednesday, thanks to goals from Darwin Nunez and Harvey Elliott.
Gabriel Jesus bagged a second-half hat-trick as Arsenal came from behind to beat Crystal Palace 3-2, and Sandro Tonali scored twice to lead Newcastle to a 3-1 win over Brentford.
Nunez, who had been goaded by Saints fans earlier in the game for a wild miss, got on the scoresheet in the 24th minute, pouncing after a mis-kick by centre back Jan Bednarek. Nunez put his finger to his lips in a gesture to the crowd after calmly finishing past Alex McCarthy.
Elliott doubled the Reds' lead eight minutes later when he unleashed a low, hard shot from Cody Gakpo's pass. Cameron Archer pulled one back for the home side in the 59th minute with a curling shot from just inside the box.
Palace had Arsenal reeling in the fourth minute when Jean-Philippe Mateta nudged aside Gunners defender Jakub Kiwior to latch onto a long ball and side-foot home.
But Arsenal thoroughly dominated the second half and Jesus equalised in the 54th minute when Martin Odegaard sent a beautiful through ball into the box and the Brazilian chipped the ball over Dean Henderson.
Jesus netted his second in the 73rd minute when Bukayo Saka slipped the ball through for him to hammer home. He completed his hat-trick eight minutes later when he ran onto a ball from Odegaard behind Palace's back line before firing past Henderson.
Eddie Nketiah pulled one back for Palace late on when he leapt high to head home past David Raya.
At St James' Park, Tonali scored in the ninth minute when Nathan Collins' attempted clearance fell at his feet and he unleashed a rocket from 20 yards out -- his first goal since his return in late-August from a 10-month ban for breaching betting rules.
Tonali volleyed home Anthony Gordon's cross from near the penalty spot just before the break for his second goal, and Newcastle tripled their lead when Bruno Guimaraes sent a pass across the goal for Fabian Schar to tap home in the 69th.
Yoane Wissa pulled one back for Brentford in injury time but the game was well out of reach by then.
The last semi-final place is up for grabs on Thursday when Tottenham Hotspur host Manchester United.
Southampton vs Liverpool latest news
- Slot makes admission over Southampton red card appeal in tight Cup win
- Liverpool survive Saints scare to reach Carabao Cup semi-finals
Good night!
Wednesday 18 December 2024 23:28 , Jonathan GorrieThanks for joining Standard Sport’s LIVE coverage of Liverpool’s win over Southampton!
Find our report and reaction below!
Slot makes admission over Southampton red card appeal in tight Cup win
Wednesday 18 December 2024 23:25 , Jonathan GorrieArne Slot admits Liverpool were perhaps fortunate to have avoided a late punishment during Wednesday night’s Carabao Cup win over Southampton.
The Reds booked their spot in Thursday’s semi-final draw with a 2-1 victory on the south coast, with both Darwin Nunez and Harvey Elliott scoring first-half goals.
Saints, however, did rally after the break and got back into the game thanks to Cameron Archer’s first.
Liverpool survive Saints scare to reach Carabao Cup semi-finals
Wednesday 18 December 2024 21:58 , Jonathan GorrieLiverpool held on after a late rally to reach the Carabao Cup quarter-finals with a 2-1 victory at Southampton.
FT: Southampton 1-2 Liverpool
Wednesday 18 December 2024 21:55 , Jonathan GorrieFT: And it’s over!
Liverpool hold on despite Southampton’s late rally to reach the Carabao Cup semi-finals!
Southampton 1-2 Liverpool
Wednesday 18 December 2024 21:52 , Jonathan Gorrie92 mins: Saints want a late free-kick just outside the box after Quansah collides with Diaz!
Nothing given.
Southampton 1-2 Liverpool
Wednesday 18 December 2024 21:49 , Jonathan Gorrie90 mins: Six minutes added on here!
Southampton 1-2 Liverpool
Wednesday 18 December 2024 21:48 , Jonathan Gorrie89 mins: Harwood-Bellis blocks Chiesa’s shot off the line!
Southampton 1-2 Liverpool
Wednesday 18 December 2024 21:47 , Jonathan Gorrie88 mins: Kelleher saves well to deny Breterton-Diaz with a back post header!
Southampton 1-2 Liverpool
Wednesday 18 December 2024 21:38 , Jonathan Gorrie79 mins: Saints now struggling to get the ball off Liverpool, who have managed the game well since the first few minutes after Archer’s strike.
Southampton 1-2 Liverpool
Wednesday 18 December 2024 21:33 , Jonathan Gorrie73 mins: Onauchu gets ahead of the Liverpool defence following an in-swinging free-kick, although it’s well saved by Kelleher.
Flag went up, though it did look tight. No VAR at this sage of the competition, however.
Southampton 1-2 Liverpool
Wednesday 18 December 2024 21:30 , Jonathan Gorrie70 mins: Liverpool restore some composure, although Saints are looking much more lively than in the first half.
Southampton 1-2 Liverpool
Wednesday 18 December 2024 21:27 , Jonathan Gorrie68 mins: Harwood-Bellis does well to clear Chiesa’s cross to Gakpo before what looked a certain goal.
Southampton 1-2 Liverpool
Wednesday 18 December 2024 21:25 , Jonathan Gorrie66 mins: Liverpool look to have taken the sting out of the game somewhat after those Saints chances. Still, it’s a much tougher game now.
The hosts in the ascendancy.
Southampton 1-2 Liverpool
Wednesday 18 December 2024 21:20 , Jonathan Gorrie61 mins: Big save from Kelleher to deny Archer his second before Liverpool just about clear lines!
Southampton 1-2 Liverpool
Wednesday 18 December 2024 21:19 , Jonathan Gorrie58 mins: It feels like Liverpool haven’t really got out of second gear and Saints are really upping the tempo.
GOAL! Southampton 1-2 Liverpool | Cameron Archer '57
Wednesday 18 December 2024 21:17 , Jonathan Gorrie57 mins: GOAL!
Saints are back into it! Lovely finish from Archer, who cut inside Quansah after a counter and fires past Kelleher!
Southampton 0-2 Liverpool
Wednesday 18 December 2024 21:04 , Jonathan GorrieBack underway!
Chiesa and Tsimikas on for Alexander-Arnold and Gomez!
Southampton 0-2 Liverpool
Wednesday 18 December 2024 21:00 , Jonathan GorrieLong road back for the Saints here, while Liverpool can afford to rotate even further.
HT: Southampton 0-2 Liverpool
Wednesday 18 December 2024 20:47 , Jonathan GorrieNunez and Elliott with the goals as Liverpool close in on the semi-finals!
Southampton 0-2 Liverpool
Wednesday 18 December 2024 20:46 , Jonathan Gorrie44 mins: While Saints started pretty well, it’s since become something approaching a training game here.
Southampton 0-2 Liverpool
Wednesday 18 December 2024 20:37 , Jonathan Gorrie36 mins: Big save from McCarthy to deny Mac Allister!
Another brilliant ball from Alexander-Arnold finds the Argentine, who sees his shot towards the bottom corner well saved.
GOAL! Southampton 0-2 Liverpool | Harvey Elliott '32
Wednesday 18 December 2024 20:33 , Jonathan Gorrie32 mins: GOAL!
Elliott doubles Liverpool’s advantage with a lovely finish following a slick team move.
GOAL! Southampton 0-1 Liverpool | Darwin Nunez '24
Wednesday 18 December 2024 20:26 , Jonathan Gorrie24 mins: GOAL!
And Liverpool take the lead! He slots past McCarthy after a fine ball from Alexander-Arnold.
Southampton 0-0 Liverpool
Wednesday 18 December 2024 20:21 , Jonathan Gorrie20 mins: We have our first shot on target 20 minutes in as Dibling fires just past Kelleher.
Southampton 0-0 Liverpool
Wednesday 18 December 2024 20:08 , Jonathan Gorrie07 mins: Much better from Saints here. They look much more compact than compared to Sunday’s huge loss to Tottenham.
Southampton 0-0 Liverpool
Wednesday 18 December 2024 20:06 , Jonathan Gorrie04 mins: Liverpool now taking control of the ball here.
Southampton 0-0 Liverpool
Wednesday 18 December 2024 20:04 , Jonathan Gorrie01 mins: Decent start here from Saints, who are seeing a lot of the ball without creating too much with it.
Southampton 0-0 Liverpool
Wednesday 18 December 2024 20:01 , Jonathan GorrieKCIK-OFF!
Southampton vs Liverpool
Wednesday 18 December 2024 19:27 , Jonathan GorrieA look inside tonight’s dressing room!
All set on the south coast 💪 pic.twitter.com/RGJoqU8R88
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) December 18, 2024
Confirmed Liverpool lineup
Wednesday 18 December 2024 19:09 , Jonathan GorrieLiverpool XI: Kelleher, Alexander-Anrold; Gomez, Endo, Quansah; Mac Allister, Nyoni, Morton; Elliott, Nunez, Gakpo
Subs: Jaros, Chiesa, Jota, Tskimikas, McConnell, Nallo, Nguhoma, Danns, Norris
Confirmed Southampton lineup
Wednesday 18 December 2024 19:08 , Jonathan GorrieSouthampton XI: McCarthy; Bree, Harwood-Bellis, Bednarek, Wood, Manning; Downes, Fernandes, Aribo; Dibling, Archer
Subs: Lumley, Edwards, Sugawara, Lallana, Fraser, Amo-Ameyaw, Kamaldeen, Brereton-Diaz, Onuachu
Arne Slot confirms fresh Diogo Jota injury setback ahead of Carabao Cup quarter-final
Wednesday 18 December 2024 18:29 , Jonathan GorrieLiverpool head coach Arne Slot admits Diogo Jota is a doubt for Wednesday’s Carabao Cup quarter-final at Southampton.
The Portugal international returned from a muscle injury to have ruled him out since October during Saturday’s 2-2 draw with Fulham, scoring a late equaliser at Anfield.
Liverpool vs Southampton: Head to head (h2h) history and results
Wednesday 18 December 2024 18:17 , Jonathan GorrieSouthampton wins: 31
Draws: 26
Liverpool wins: 63
When is Carabao Cup draw? Date, start time, TV channel and ball numbers for semi-finals
Wednesday 18 December 2024 18:00 , Jonathan GorrieThe Carabao Cup returns this week.
Eight teams remain in the competition ahead of some huge quarter-final ties.
Holders Liverpool travel to Southampton, while Arsenal host London rivals Crystal Palace.
Newcastle, meanwhile, entertain Brentford before a heavyweight clash at Tottenham on Thursday as Manchester United come to town.
Glory will soon be in sight for those that remain and the semi-final draw is now imminent.
Here’s everything you need to know.
Southampton vs Liverpool: Latest Carabao Cup odds tonight
Wednesday 18 December 2024 17:36 , Jonathan GorrieMatch Result:
Southampton – 17/4
Draw – 7/2
Liverpool – 8/15
To qualify:
Southampton – 23/10
Liverpool – 2/7
Carabao Cup Winner:
Arsenal – 9/4
Liverpool – 5/2
Tottenham – 11/2
Newcastle United – 6/1
Manchester United – 7/1
Brentford – 18/1
Crystal Palace – 25/1
Southampton – 40/1
Odds via Betway
Southampton vs Liverpool: Carabao Cup score prediction today
Wednesday 18 December 2024 17:33 , Jonathan GorrieLiverpool should rotate, with Spurs to come days after, but whatever team they name should have enough about them to see off Saints.
Without a manager and on the end of a home humbling, Southampton are at their lowest ebb of the season. That may prompt a reaction, but it’s hard where or who from.
Liverpool to win 3-0.
Liverpool team news vs Southampton today
Wednesday 18 December 2024 17:32 , Jonathan GorrieLiverpool have Andy Robertson suspended but the Scotland international looked to have been carrying a knock anyway. Conor Bradley, Ibrahima Konate and Kostas Tsimikas are all injured. Diogo Jota is a doubt after suffering a minor setback having only returned to the side.
Federico Chiesa made the bench against Fulham and could feature here. Slot is suspended from the touchline having picked up three yellow cards this season.
Southampton team news vs Liverpool today
Wednesday 18 December 2024 17:31 , Jonathan GorrieSouthampton are still without Aaron Ramsdale, so Alex McCarthy will continue to deputise in goal, and Jack Stephens remains suspended until Boxing Day. But Jan Bednarek returned against Spurs and should start again on Wednesday.
Nathan Wood was drafted into the starting lineup after just 15 minutes on Sunday and performed admirably, all things considered, so could start again, with Adam Armstrong should again lead the line.
Southampton vs Liverpool: TV channel and live stream for Carabao Cup today
Wednesday 18 December 2024 17:30 , Jonathan GorrieTV channel: The game will be broadcast on Sky Sports Main Event.
Live stream: Subscribers will be able to watch on a live stream via the Sky Go app.
LIVE coverage: Follow the action with Standard Sport’s dedicated match blog!
Welcome
Wednesday 18 December 2024 17:24 , Jonathan GorrieGood evening and welcome to Standard Sport’s LIVE coverage of Southampton’s Carabao Cup clash with Liverpool tonight.
Kick-off from St Mary’s Stadium is at 8pm GMT.
